Apparatus and methods for determining borehole diameter and standoff for neutron porosity logging systems. The apparatus comprises an isotopic neutron source, a single epithermal neutron detector and two thermal neutron detectors, where all detectors are at different axial spacings from the neutron source. thermal neutron porosity is determined from the combined response of the thermal neutron detectors. epithermal neutron porosity is determined from the response of the single epithermal neutron detector. Embodied as a wireline system, a difference between thermal neutron porosity and epithermal neutron porosity is used to compute a tool standoff, which in turn is used to correct the thermal neutron porosity for effects of standoff. borehole size measurements are made independently and preferably with a mechanical caliper of a density tool subsection. Embodied as a LWD system, the difference between thermal neutron porosity and epithermal neutron porosity is used to correct the thermal neutron porosity measurement for both borehole diameter and radial position (standoff) of the tool within the borehole.
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9. Apparatus for determining standoff of a tool disposed within a borehole, the apparatus comprising:
(a) an isotopic neutron source disposed within said tool;
(b) a first thermal neutron detector disposed within said tool at a first axial spacing from said source;
(c) a second thermal neutron detector disposed within said tool at a second axial spacing from said source;
(d) an epithermal neutron detector disposed within said tool at a third axial spacing from said source; and
(e) a processor
for computing a thermal neutron porosity by combining said first and second thermal neutron detector responses,
for computing an epithermal neutron porosity from said response of said epithermal neutron detector, and
for computing the difference of said thermal neutron porosity and said epithermal neutron porosity and for combining said difference with a measure of borehole diameter and mud weight and lithology to obtain said standoff.
1. A method for determining standoff of a tool disposed within a borehole, the method comprising:
(a) disposing an isotopic neutron source within said tool;
(b) measuring a response of a first thermal neutron detector disposed within said tool at a first axial spacing from said source;
(c) measuring a response of a second thermal neutron detector disposed within said tool at a second axial spacing from said source;
(d) measuring a response of an epithermal neutron detector disposed within said tool at a third axial spacing from said source;
(e) computing a thermal neutron porosity by combining said first and second thermal neutron detector responses;
(f) computing an epithermal neutron porosity from said response of said epithermal neutron detector; and
(g) computing the difference of said thermal neutron porosity and said epithermal neutron porosity and combining said difference with a measure of borehole diameter and mud weight and lithology to obtain said standoff.
2. The method of
3. The method of
(a) said neutron porosity is conveyed within said borehole in combination with a density subsection; and
(b) said measure of borehole diameter is obtained from a response of a mechanical caliper attached to said density subsection.
4. The method of
5. The method of
6. The method of
(a) determining said difference of said thermal neutron porosity and said epithermal neutron porosity in each of a plurality of azimuthal angles;
(b) combining each said difference of said thermal neutron porosity and said epithermal neutron porosity with mud weight and lithology to determining an apparent borehole diameter for that angle;
(c) combining said apparent borehole diameters for said plurality of angles to obtain an average borehole diameter; and
(d) combining said average borehole diameter with each said apparent borehole diameter to obtain standoff as a function of azimuthal angle.
7. The method of
8. The method of
10. The apparatus of
11. The apparatus of
(a) said neutron porosity is conveyed within said borehole in combination with a density subsection;
(b) said processor is a surface processor; and
(c) said measure of borehole diameter is obtained from a response of a mechanical caliper of said density subsection.
12. The apparatus of
13. The apparatus of
(a) determines said difference of said thermal neutron porosity and said epithermal neutron porosity in each of a plurality of azimuthal angles;
(b) combines each said difference of said thermal neutron porosity and said epithermal neutron porosity with mud weight and lithology to determining an apparent borehole diameter for that angle;
(c) combines said apparent borehole diameters to obtain an average borehole diameter; and
(d) combines said average borehole diameter with each said apparent borehole diameter to obtain standoff as a function of azimuthal angle.
14. The apparatus of
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This invention is related to the determination of borehole parameters and the radial position of borehole instrumentation within the borehole. More specifically, the invention is directed toward the determination of borehole diameter and standoff of instrumentation within the borehole using epithermal and thermal neutron measurements.
The element hydrogen (H) is very efficient moderator of energetic neutrons because of the relatively small difference in their masses. Thermal neutron porosity tools or subsections comprising a neutron source and at least one axially spaced thermal neutron detector is, therefore, very responsive to hydrogen content or “hydrogen index” of the environs in which it is disposed. In a large majority of earth formations, H is within fluid which is in the pore space of the formation. The response of a neutron porosity tool to hydrogen index can, therefore, be used to obtain an indication of pore space and therefore an indication of formation porosity.
Thermal neutron porosity tool response is also affected by borehole conditions such as borehole diameter and the radial position of the tool within the borehole, which is commonly referred to as “standoff”. Tool response is further affected by elements with high thermal neutron cross sections. Examples of such elements are boron which is found in shale, and chlorine which is found in saline formation waters. Corrections applied to thermal neutron porosity measurements for effects such as these are commonly known as “environmental corrections”. Finally, tool response is affected by neutron source strength, thermal neutron detector efficiency, source-detector geometry including shielding and axial spacing, and systematic factors in the electronics associated with the detector. The combination of responses of two thermal neutron detectors at different axial spacings from the source eliminates some of these adverse response factors.
Depending upon tool calibration conditions, additional corrections must be made. Wireline dual detector thermal neutron porosity tools are typically calibrated in a known formation with a “standard” diameter borehole and with the tool urged against the wall of the borehole. This radial position is commonly referred to as “decentralized” and with no standoff. In logging operations, borehole diameter can vary from “standard”, and the tool can standoff from the borehole wall. Corrections for non standard borehole diameters are typically made in real time using the response of a mechanical wireline caliper. In addition, real time corrections for tool standoff are required to obtain accurate porosity readings. However, standoff measurements are not widely used and ad hoc corrections are typically made based on judgment of borehole conditions. Basic concepts of wireline dual detector thermal neutron porosity logging are disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,147, which is herein entered into this disclosure by reference. Environmental corrections for wireline dual detector thermal neutron porosity logs are disclosed in the publication “Experimental Determination of Environmental Corrections for a Dual-Spaced Neutron Porosity Log”, D. M. Arnold et al, paper VV, 22nd Annual Logging Symposium Transactions: Society of Professional Well Log Analyst.
Dual detector thermal neutron logging methodology is also applicable to logging-while-drilling (LWD) systems. The basic concepts are the same as those used in the wireline counterpart. LWD tools or subsections are again calibrated in known formations with a “standard” borehole diameter, but with the tool radially centered or “centralized” within the borehole. Unlike the wireline counterpart, mechanical calipers can not be used in LWD systems to measure borehole diameter. Acoustic standoff measurements have been used with fairly good accuracy under most conditions, but can suffer from poor signal if the acoustic waves are not perpendicular to the borehole wall. Acoustic standoff measurements also suffer from inaccuracies due to changes in the mud acoustic properties. Three acoustic sensors placed at 120 degrees from each other are required to obtain a more accurate borehole diameter measurement in LWD systems. Standoff determination from an independent LWD density measurement has been also used with fair accuracy under nominal borehole conditions, but it is adversely affected by changes in the mud density. Moreover, determination of standoff from density measurements is only valid in non-barite mud, which is a major limitation of this approach. Since both the density and the acoustic sensors are focused measurements and “see” only in front of them, borehole diameter measurements in LWD systems generally have less accuracy than standoff measurements. Reliable, real time corrections for borehole diameter and the radial position of the tool within the borehole (i.e. standoff) are needed to obtain accurate LWD neutron porosity measurements.
Measures of epithermal neutrons have been used to enhance or correct dual thermal neutron porosity measurements. Because epithermal neutron flux is typically less than corresponding thermal neutron flux, and because epithermal neutron detectors are less efficient per unit volume than thermal neutron detectors, epithermal detector axial spacing from the neutron source is necessarily smaller to obtain statistically significant measurements. This reduced axial spacing also reduces the radial depth of investigation of the measurement. These factors further discourage the use of dual epithermal neutron detectors at different axial spacings. The use of epithermal neutron measurements to correct thermal neutron porosity measurements has been predominately in the field of pulsed rather than continuous or isotropic neutron sources. Basic concepts of epithermal neutron porosity measurements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,532,481 (Mickael) and 5,596,191 (Mickael), both of which are herein entered into this disclosure by reference.
The invention uses a tool (or subsection if operated in combination with other types of logging subsections) comprising a continuous or isotopic neutron source, a single epithermal neutron detector and two thermal neutron detectors, where all detectors are at different axial spacings from the neutron source. Thermal neutron porosity is determined from the combined response of a first or “short spaced” thermal neutron detector at a first axially spacing and a second or “long spaced” thermal detector at a second axial spacing. The second spacing is greater than the first spacing. Epithermal neutron porosity is determined from the response of the single epithermal neutron detector, which is axially spaced closer the neutron source than either of the thermal neutron detectors.
Embodied as a wireline system, a difference between thermal neutron porosity and epithermal neutron porosity is used to compute a tool standoff, which in turn is used to correct the thermal neutron porosity for effects of standoff. Borehole size measurements are made independently and preferably with a mechanical caliper of a density tool subsection. Embodied as a LWD system, the difference between thermal neutron porosity and epithermal neutron porosity is used to correct the thermal neutron porosity measurement for both borehole diameter and radial position (standoff) of the tool within the borehole.
The corrected porosities are determined in real time. The method is relatively independent of borehole salinity, formation salinity and is operable in boreholes ranging from 6.0 to 12.0 inches (15.2 to 30.5 centimeters). The system also operates in barite mud. Formation lithology and mud weight must be input. Estimates of mud weight are typically known, and formation lithology can be obtained by combining apparent neutron porosity, density porosity, and acoustic porosity using methodology well known in the art.
The manner in which the above recited features and advantages, briefly summarized above, are obtained can be understood in detail by reference to the embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings.
The invention can be embodied as a wireline system or as a logging-while-drilling system.
The tool 10 typically comprises a combination of “subsections” with each subsection being designed to measure a specific type of borehole or formation parameter. A density subsection 12 is depicted in
Again referring to
Still referring to
Considering the radial positioning of the all subsections comprising the wireline tool 10, it is apparent that the neutron porosity subsection 22 can standoff 1.0 to 2.0 inches (2.54-5.08 centimeters) as indicated at 27 with some degree of tilt. Corrections for standoff must be made in order to obtain accurate and precise neutron porosity measurements.
Apparatus and methods of the present invention provide a measure of neutron porosity subsection standoff by combining responses of the thermal neutron detectors and the epithermal neutron detector. Details will be presented in a subsequent section of this disclosure. A measure of borehole diameter is typically obtained independently such as from the response of the mechanical caliper of the density subsection 12.
Still referring to
The neutron porosity concepts of the present invention can be applied to LWD systems as well as wireline systems. There are, however, some differences in the implementation. First, unlike the wireline neutron porosity subsection 22 that is calibrated to operate radially decentralized within the borehole, LWD neutron porosity subsection 48 is calibrated to operate radially centralized in the borehole. If the subsection 48 is centralized within the borehole, standoff is azimuthally constant and the effects are correctable. In practice, an LWD neutron tool subsection is never exactly centralized within the borehole. Standoff can vary as the LWD tool 40 rotates within the borehole 30. Moreover, washouts in the borehole wall make the borehole seen by a rotating neutron porosity subsection 48 asymmetric and therefore a function of the azimuthal position of the subsection. Appropriate corrections must be made for standoff as a function of azimuthal rotation.
The second difference between wireline tool 10 (
Apparatus and methods of the present invention can be used in LWD systems to determine both the borehole diameter and radial standoff as the tool rotates. Details of for determining radial position of the tool within the borehole (i.e. standoff) and borehole diameter as a function of borehole azimuth are presented in subsequent sections of this disclosure.
Basic Concepts of the Measurement
Thermal neutron porosity is determined from the combined response of a first or “short spaced” thermal neutron detector at a first axially spacing and a second or “long spaced” thermal detector at a second axial spacing. The second spacing is greater than the first spacing. A general equation for thermal neutron porosity is
ΦTH=Ath+Bth(CSS/CLS)+Cth(CSS/CLS)2 (1) where
where
It should be noted that since the ratio of detector count rates is used, the effects of source strength, detector efficiencies, source and detector geometries, source-detector axial spacings, and systematic detector circuit characteristics mathematically “cancel”. Details of this dual detector thermal neutron porosity measurement have been previously entered into this disclosure by reference.
Epithermal neutron porosity is determined from the response of a single epithermal neutron detector axially displaced from the neutron source. Because of reduced sensitivity per unit volume of the epithermal neutron detector, the axial spacing is less than either of the thermal neutron detectors. A general equation for epithermal neutron porosity is
ΦE=Ae+Be(CEPI)+Ce(CEPI)2 (2)
where
Ae, Be and Ce, are calibration constant that are function of neutron source strength, detector efficiency, source-detector geometry, source-detector spacing, borehole diameter, and standoff. Other functions can be used to describe the relationship between the epithermal neutron count rate and porosity.
Epithermal neutron porosity measurements are disclosed in more detail in disclosures previously entered by reference. It is noted that since only one epithermal detector is used, the effects of neutron source strength, detector efficiency, source-detector geometry, source-detector spacing do not cancel mathematically as they do in the dual thermal neutron detector measurement. As a result, the epithermal portion of the neutron porosity tool must be environmentally calibrated frequently, and it is preferred that a specific neutron source always be used with a specific tool.
Epithermal neutron porosity response was modeled for a wide range of borehole conditions, formation conditions, and neutron tool standoff. These results are summarized in
Wireline Applications
The wireline “combination tool 10 comprises a density subsection 12, a neutron porosity subsection 22, and an acoustic subsection 30 shown in
Using data discussed in previous graphical presentations, true tool standoff (in inches) is plotted as a function of (ΦE-ΦTRUE) in
At this point, wireline neutron porosity subsection standoff (SO) has been obtained using methodologies of the present invention. Borehole diameter (BHD) has been obtained from an independent measurement such as a mechanical caliper of a density subsection. A corrected thermal neutron porosity for a wireline system, ΦC,WL corrected for all environmental conditions is obtained using methods set forth in the previously referenced “Experimental Determination of Environmental Corrections for a Dual-Spaced Neutron Porosity Log”. The general mathematical functional relationship FW for wireline tools is
ΦC,WL=FW(ΦTh,SO,BHD,ENV) (3)
where ENV are other environmental corrections discussed in the “Experimental Determination of Environmental Corrections for a Dual-Spaced Neutron Porosity Log” and ΦTH is given in equation (1).
Measured data are preferably telemetered to the surface via a wireline telemetry system, and computations are preferably performed in the surface processor disposed in the surface equipment 36.
LWD Applications
As mentioned previously, the same neutron porosity concepts can be applied in both wireline and LWD systems. LWD applications require radial determinations of borehole diameter and tool standoff. The neutron porosity subsection 48 (see
As also mentioned previously LWD tool 40 lacks a mechanical borehole caliper measurement in LWD tool. Stated another way, borehole diameter can not be measured mechanically with a rotating LWD tool. A prior knowledge of borehole diameter (such as a bit diameter) can not be used as a substitute for a caliper since borehole diameter typically varies with depth, and different diameter tools are used in different nominal borehole sizes.
Apparatus and methods of the present invention can be used in LWD systems to determine both the borehole diameter and radial standoff as the tool rotates. Results can be presented as cross sectional “images” of the tool within the borehole. Both of borehole diameter and standoff values are needed to correct the thermal neutron porosity measurement. In addition a borehole image has many applications in the areas of drilling mechanics and borehole stability.
The difference between the near epithermal and traditional thermal neutron porosity (ΦE-ΦTh) can be used to first determine an apparent borehole diameter at predetermined azimuthal angles as the LWD tool 40 rotates. These azimuthal apparent borehole diameters can then be to determine an average borehole diameter and azimuthal standoffs. The preferred methodology is to use a comprehensive algorithm to determine the apparent borehole diameter, where the algorithm uses responses and combinations of responses from the two thermal and one epithermal neutron detector to compensate for various borehole and formation effects. Since there are three detectors 51, 52 and 53 in the neutron porosity subsection 48, the following detector responses and combination detector responses are available:
It has been found that a general relationship of the following form is best suited for (apparent) borehole size determination:
BHD=F(Φ(RSS/LS),(Φ(RSS/LS)−Φ(1/CEPI)),(Φ(1/CEPI)−Φ(1/CSS),MW,MIN) (4)
where BHD is the apparent borehole diameter, Φ(X) is the apparent porosity computed using detector responses and combination detector responses listed above, MW and MIN are mud weight and formation mineralogy that must be input from independent sources, and F is a linear or a quadratic function. A large set of modeling data was used to test this algorithm shown in general form in equation (4). These data were generated for a 6.75 inch (17.1 centimeter) diameter LWD neutron porosity subsection 48, borehole diameters ranging from 8.5 to 10 inches (21.6 to 25.4 centimeters), mud weights ranging from 8.33 to 18 pounds per gallon, borehole water salinities ranging from 0 to 250 thousand parts per million (Kppm) NaCl, formation salinities ranging from 0 to 250 Kppm, and for limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and shale formations with porosity ranging from 0 to 60 percent. As indicated, the borehole characterization function shown in equation (4) requires two input parameters:
(1) formation mineralogy (limestone, dolomite, sand/shale); and
(2) mud weight
However, the algorithm is self compensating for the effects of formation porosity, borehole water salinity, and formation salinity.
Equation (4) is the apparent borehole diameter at any azimuthal angle. The average of the apparent diameters at all angles (from 0 to 360 degrees) is the average borehole diameter. The difference between the apparent borehole diameter at a given azimuthal angle and the average borehole diameter (divided by 2) is tool standoff at that azimuthal angle.
LWD neutron porosity subsection standoff (SO) and borehole diameter (BHD) have been obtained using methodologies of the present mathematically in equation (4). A corrected thermal neutron porosity for a LWD system, ΦC,LWD corrected for all environmental conditions is obtained using methods set forth in the previously referenced “Experimental Determination of Environmental Corrections for a Dual-Spaced Neutron Porosity Log”. The general mathematical functional relationship FLWD for LWD tools is
ΦC,LWD=FLWD(ΦTH,SO,BHD,ENV) (5)
where ENV are other environmental corrections discussed in the “Experimental Determination of Environmental Corrections for a Dual-Spaced Neutron Porosity Log” and ΦTH is given in equation (1).
Computations are preferably made in the downhole processor disposed in the electronics and power section 54 (see
The above disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is limited only by the claims that follow.
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